Cubs move on with second round sweep

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com
@ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat Cubs were focused on taking their second-round series one game at a time. That approach had to only last three games as they’re moving on to the third round.

The Cubs swept the Coaldale Copperheads in their best-of-five second-round series with a 5-2 Game 3 win Wednesday night at the Kinplex. Coaldale scored the lone goal of the first period to lead 1-0 after 20 minutes.

Medicine Hat answered back with a three-goal second period with two empty net goals in the third propelling them to the win. Captain Callan Prosofsky, who scored the eventual game winner in the second, was happy they could close the series out at home and says it was a character showing with the comeback.

“It was a battle, going to OT twice in those three games but it just shows our character and our want to win,” Prosofsky said.

The Cubs trailed Game 1 2-0 before coming back to win in overtime. The next night they lost a lead before coming out on top in double overtime. The drive to push through adversity and trusting the process are part of the mottos the Cubs have adapted for their playoff run.

Darnell Glasgo was wearing their warmup shirts with the slogan, ‘find a way,’ minted on them when speaking with the News post game. He says they did just that in the first three games of their playoffs and look to continue it into their next round.

“That second and third period were some of the best periods of hockey we’ve played all season,” Glasgo said. “If we can keep following that up and bringing the energy every night, I don’t think there’s many teams in the league that can keep up with us. We’re a fast group, we’re a young group, so it’ll be fun.”

Glasgo and forward Josh Drefs each had a goal and an assist Wednesday, with Prosofsky, Braden Patey and Gerret Harty rounding out the offence with a goal each. Tyler Wakelam made 26 saves.

Wednesday’s win was the first time all series the Cubs’ top line of Owen Wagner, Kyle Woolridge and Caleb Garrrecht were held off the scoresheet. While head coach Randy Wong would’ve liked to see everyone score, he says he’s happy with other lines kicking in offensively moving forward.

“When your top line, they had some chances and some good looks, but they don’t need to do it every day, you don’t want them to do it every day and you want others to contribute,” Wong said. “Today we had others contribute, so that’s awesome. Our defencemen played really well, we have depth scoring, so that puts us in a pretty good position to start round three.”

The Cubs’ round-three opponent is still to be decided and with the HJHL’s playoff format changes, there are multiple series that factor in. They’re waiting on the outcome of the Okotoks Bisons and High River Flyers series and the Sylvan Lake Wranglers and Airdrie Thunders matchup. The Bisons lead High River 2-1 with Game 4 held late Thursday and Sylvan Lake is up 2-0 on Airdrie, also in action late Thursday.

An Okotoks series win means the Cubs would face the higher ranked team coming out of the North division, with Okotoks getting the lower seed. If Okotoks loses, they’ll get the lower seed. Regardless of who they face, Wong says they accomplished their short-term goal of getting a few days rest with the sweep and can look forward to whomever they face.

“It sets us up where we get some time to heal, to rest and get our energy levels back up,” Wong said.

“That certainly helps us out as far as being able to go along in the playoffs and have a better run out of this.”

What will also help the Cubs in their run in the playoffs, is the home ice advantage at the Kinplex. Wednesday’s crowd was estimated around 300 people and they were boisterous, cheering on the Cubs and taking the venom out of the Copperheads.

The Cubs were happy with the turnout and multiple players say they can’t wait to see how many more people fill the bleachers come the third round and beyond.

“I’m hoping we can get one win on the road and then come back here and have a chance to take it on the Saturday and Sunday if that’s what the schedule turns out to be,” Glasgo said.”I’m looking forward to getting back here but we have to focus on those games on the road first.”